Abstract
Ixodes persulcatus is a predominant hard tick species that transmits a wide range of human and animal pathogens. Since bacterial flora of the tick dwelling in the wild always vary according to their hosts and the environment, it is highly desirable that species-associated microbiomes are fully determined by using next-generation sequencing and based on comparative metagenomics. Here, we examine such metagenomic changes of I. persulcatus starting with samples collected from the wild ticks and followed by the reared animals under pathogen-free laboratory conditions over multiple generations. Based on high-coverage genomic sequences from three experimental groups–wild, reared for a single generation or R1, and reared for eight generations or R8 –we identify the core bacterial flora of I. persulcatus, which contains 70 species that belong to 69 genera of 8 phyla; such a core is from the R8 group, which is reduced from 4625 species belonging to 1153 genera of 29 phyla in the wild group. Our study provides a novel example of tick core bacterial flora acquired based on wild-to-reared comparison, which paves a way for future research on tick metagenomics and tick-borne disease pandemics.
Highlights
The tick, Ixodes persulcatus, is a predominant hard tick species found in Europe, central and northern Asia, China, and Japan
Ticks carry a large number of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which are transmitted among animals and humans, and among them, Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum cause Lyme disease [3,4] and granulocytic anaplasmosis [5], respectively
I. persulcatus is a vector for the tick-borne encephalitis virus [2], and together with Babesia [6, 7] and Rickettsiae, they cause spotted fever [8, 9]
Summary
The tick, Ixodes persulcatus, is a predominant hard tick species found in Europe, central and northern Asia, China, and Japan. Tick is the second most widely recognized transmission vectors of human diseases worldwide, second only to mosquitoes [1,2]. Ticks carry a large number of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which are transmitted among animals and humans, and among them, Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum cause Lyme disease [3,4] and granulocytic anaplasmosis [5], respectively. I. persulcatus is a vector for the tick-borne encephalitis virus [2], and together with Babesia [6, 7] and Rickettsiae, they cause spotted fever [8, 9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
